Those "Parrish" Girls

I just reviewed Parrish (1961) and before that posting I did one on its star, Troy Donahue.  He wasn't the sole focus of the film.  I mentioned that part of my interest in it was watching old pros Claudette Colbert, Karl Malden and Dean Jagger.  But for many a highlight of the film were the three actresses who portrayed the love interests of Parrish.  I thought we'd give each of them a little attention here.  They are, of course, Connie Stevens, Diane McBain and Sharon Hugueny.

Good 60s Films: Parrish

1961 Drama
From Warner Bros.
Directed by Delmer Daves

Starring
Troy Donahue
Claudette Colbert
Karl Malden
Dean Jagger
Connie Stevens
Diane McBain
Sharon Hugueny
Hampton Fancher
Dub Taylor

Troy Donahue

It seems like I've heard all the jabs... he couldn't act his way out of a paper bag... that's not acting, it's pouting... if you saw one of his movies, why would you see another... he displays emotions from A to A-... lamentably wooden... one of Hollywood's most synthetic creations... pretty to look at but nowhere else to go... and even from an A Chorus Line song: If Troy Donahue could be a movie star, then I could be a movie star.  One day he's a 1960s phenom and the next living on the streets.  Well, not quite the next, but it would come.

Suzanne Pleshette

Oh, wasn't she lovely?  When she first came on the scene and I heard that sultry voice, noticed that flirty manner, dark hair, big smile and almost-perfect face, I was so smitten.  There were some young beauties of her time (three coming up soon) but no one captured my attention then quite like Suzanne Pleshette.

Good 60s Films: Light in the Piazza

1962 Drama
From MGM
Directed by Guy Greene

Starring
Olivia de Havilland
Yvette Mimieux
Rossano Brazzi
George Hamilton
Isabel Dean
Barry Sullivan

Good 60s Films: Cape Fear

1962 Drama
From Universal
Directed by J. Lee Thompson

Starring
Gregory Peck
Robert Mitchum
Polly Bergen
Lori Martin
Martin Balsam
Jack Kruschen
Telly Savalas
Barrie Chase

My First Favorite Aussie

There were two Aussies before him in the forms of Errol Flynn and Peter Finch, but I hadn't paid much attention to them.  Rod Taylor, in all his handsome, cocky, masculine, muscular glory, spoke to me and he certainly qualifies to start our sweep of the 1960s since that was the decade of his greatest fame.

Movie-Making in the 1960s

Do movies reflect a sign of the times or are the times reflected in the movies?  I'll go for both.  Each decade has something different to say about the movies.  Talking films were still in their infancy in the early 1930s, which is likely why I didn't much care for them.  That same period is when the production code (the overseer of movie morals) was established.  The 1940s were troubling times, about war and loss, longing and romance.  The 1950s provided escapism; the war was over and sweetness and sunshine were the order of the day.  And then came the 60s.

Review of My 50 Favorite Films-- and What's Next

Writing about my 50 Favorite Films has been the most fun I've had with the blog so far.  I have loved watching each of them again and then settling in to some serious contemplation as I take various trips down Memory Lane.  I have immensely enjoyed reading the comments some of you have taken the time to write, both pro and con, about my choices.